The wife, kids (ages 13, 10, & 5), and I are planning to take a 2 1/2 week trip to NY, DC, and Philadelphia in the spring. In addition to all of the "must see attractions" like the Smithsonion et al., what should we see?
I'm going to bookmark this in hopes that you'll get some good responses. We might make a trip to the Northeast next year with our 2 kids. They would be 9 and 13 by then. Good luck!
Maybe whoever gives the best response will get a free t-shirt....You know, one that says....."This person I don't even know from some BBS went to NY and all I got was this dumb shirt."
And they'll be all over him if he says that. "What kind of cheese? Is someone else here ready to order?" Try asking for a "whiz with" or a "provie with" -- you'll have much better luck. And be SURE to have your money out when you get to the window.
No, Pat's actually has quite an extensive menu. http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/order.htm "How to order a Steak" by I. M. Hungry Step 1. Specify if you want your steak with (wit) or without (wit-out) onions. {if you're not a rookie this should come naturally} Step 2. Specify Plain, Cheez Whiz, Provolone, American Cheese or a Pizza Steak. {we have lettuce and tomatoes / { if we have to read your mind it's 50 cents extra} Step 3. Have your money ready. {do all of your borrowing in line} Step 4. Practice all of the above while waiting in line. {if you make a mistake, don't panic, just go to the back of the line and start over}
Check out their celebrity photo gallery. Small world -- I was sitting at the table right next to McCain when this photo was taken. His wife was filming a video diary of the GOP convention for Good Morning America, and she put her camera on my table asking us where we were from and what we thought of the steaks. The funny thing is that we were all Democrats there to "monitor" the GOP convention. In fact, we were advancing Pat's for Rendell who arrived about 3 minutes after McCain left. I was so bummed when we didn't make GMA the next morning. Guess they saw through our attempt to look like Republicans.
lettuce and tomatoes? How about an addendum to the rules lettuce and tomatoes is five dollars extra, and anybody that orders a cheese steak with lettuce and tomatoes gets a swift kick to the ass by the next person in line...
JP...when in New York, eat at the following two places: 1. Second Avenue Deli - 2nd Ave at 10th Street - fantastic place and a family favorite. Nobody in my family can take a trip to NYC without eating there at least once. 2. Patsy Grimaldi's Pizza - under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side. Nothing but Sinatra pictures on the walls and Sinatra songs on the jukebox, and some of the most unbelievable pizza you will ever eat.
Favorite Historical: FDR monument (1) Jefferson Memorial (2) Air and Space Museum (3) Mount Vernon (4) White House (5) Arlington Cemetary tomb of Uknown soldier Other places just out of sight: Ford's Theatre Lincoln assassination (just off the mall) ESPN Zone (just off the Mall) Embassy's and their gardens are all on Mass Ave Bike from Bethesda to Georgetown to the Capitol along Potomac River. Bethesda has most restaurants per person in U.S. Baltimore Aquarium is close and awesome. Take Metro once. It's fun, clean, and gets you everywhere fast. Things to think about: Kite Festival in March Cherry Blossoms only bloom in March/April Places to Eat near monuments: -Capitol View Restaurant and Lounge on the 11th floor of the Hyatt Regency (very impressive view at night and piano) -Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (Steak, expensive) -Gerard’s Place (French, very expensive) -Jaleo (Spanish, moderate) -Les Halles (French, moderate) -Luigino (Italian, moderate) -Café Atlántico (Latin American, moderate) -Occidental (Modern American, expensive) -The Willard Room (French, seafood, steak; expensive) Historical Notes that make you look cool: -Beavers once attacked the Cherry Blossom trees. -tomb soldiers stay thru hurricane to watch over dead -Washington monument was a stump for a long time and has the words "Praise God" written on top. -Everything from the Wash monu to Lincoln used to be River. -If you see a homeless person, could be undercover, kids might like and prob true. Nightlife: Not my thing, but check washingtonpost.com
I did almost all of the tourist attractions in Philly. Nothing really got me excited except the Liberty Bell. Rodin Museum is interesting if you like sculpture (the thinker). Kids will like the science museum. I have not been to U.S. Mint but think that is probably good. It was closed when i was there due to terrorists. Edgar Allen poe's house is a hit or miss. It's completely empty, but oddly, that makes it even more eerie when you get into the basement. It's out of your way and may not be worth the time. Women love Betsy ross for some reason. So you may want to check out her house. It didn't do anything for me. But you can say you saw it. The consitution Hall or whatever they call it, is good to see and easy to find. and of course, you have Rocky footsteps. No statue. City is divided into two parts. Historical and Museums. As for New York, I don't know that city to well, but you can get 1/2 price show tickets if you wait in line for them at times square. Little known secret... If you bring crutches, they will escort you to the front of the line to get your tickets. That way you don't have to wait in line all day to get them. It's the one trick I learned when I was on the road. statue of Liberty and Ellis Island worth the time. But out of your way. The museum designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was quick and cool. times Square. FAO Shwartz toy store. Lot's of tourist stuff to keep you bust. find one of those Deli sandwich places.
While in philly, go to the Hatian Lunch truck in front of the post office near the 30th st station. Before ordering don't forget to say "Sa Pasay!"
Not from but here now. Make sure to walk around the Temple campus really late at night wearing a lot of bling bling! While this area is a hole in the winter, it's great in the spring and summer. Take a walk around Rittenhouse square, go down to Penns Landing take the boat to Camden and see the aquarium, walk down South Street, if you're into blues check out Warmdaddy's on Front Street. As for sports, come see the Phillies new digs and cheer on former Astro Billy Wagner!
Guggenheim must be visited, Ellis Island is interesting, Met and Moma are great and the TV and radio institute is sweet, and eat at the Seinfeild cafe PSJ covered DC nicely
